Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo: These beautiful twin lakes are located at the base of Volcano Muhabura and close to the border of Rwanda and Uganda in the northern part of Rwanda, on the outskirts of Musanze. They are located close to the Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda, known as “gorillas’ home”, with their blue water surrounded by the Virunga high hills. Lake Bulera and Lake Ruhondo are separated by a 1km wide strip of land.
These lakes formed as a result of volcanic activity, where the largest River in Rwanda (Nyabarongo River) used to flow northward to Ndorwa (many years ago this part was for Rwandan side, but currently it belongs to Uganda), Due to the volcanic eruption which took a place in the volcanic region in Northern part of Rwanda, precisely due to the eruption of Muhabura volcano(currently is considered as dormant volcano), the lava flows from volcanoes blocked the Nyabarongo river’s channel, this led to the formation of these twin lakes of Bulera and Ruhondo also considered as ”Lava dammed lakes”, and the divert of Nyabarongo river by flowing south east ward where it joins Akanyaru River to form Akagera River.
Rwanda’s Lakes Bulera and Ruhondo have a combined surface area of about 2800ha.
These Magnificent twin lakes of Bulera and Ruhondo, and their swamp Rugezi, are excellent photogenic, serene, and scenic places for Bird watching activity. Moreover, Rugezi swamp is one of the seven most important birding areas IBAs) in Rwanda.
Their deep blue water, surrounded by steep hills and tall waterfalls, with the outlines of the nearby Virunga (volcanoes) provide a spectacular backdrop.
A canoe boat or Boat trip can be taken along the waters of the twin lakes of Bulera and Ruhondo for sightseeing.
The twin lakes of Bulera and Ruhondo can be visited in the afternoon or evening after Gorilla trekking or Golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park, or even after a cultural tour from Iby’iwacu cultural village, or after visiting Musanze caves.
The scenery is breathtaking as the shores of the lakes are heavily terraced and cultivated with crops, and the slopes of the volcanoes appear green in the distance.
At the shorelines or in the lakes, fishing is carried out by people using traditional fishing methods like self made canoe that consists of a single piece of wood, and using a fish net or hooks.
If you want to visit the islands on these twin lakes of Ruhondo and Bulera, the trip is done by a boat or canoe ride.
The overstay or Night stay around the Lakes was made easier because there are many hotels, lodges, Restaurants and Guest houses with excellent hospitality.
